Marcus Rashford and Raheem Sterling backed to start for England in World Cup ahead of Man City duo Phil Foden and Jack Grealish and Arsenal star Bukay

10/31/2022 05:58 AM

Jamie O’Hara believes England should start Marcus Rashford and Raheem Sterling alongside Harry Kane at the World Cup. Gareth Southgate’s men play their first group game in Qatar in exactly three weeks’ time, when they take on Iran. Rashford netted his 100th Manchester United goal in the win over West Ham on SundayAFP We are still ten days away from Southgate naming his final Three Lions squad, but the debate is already raging over who should be in that line-up on November 21. Former Tottenham midfielder O’Hara admits Southgate has some tough decisions to make, but he would leave out Manchester City duo Phil Foden and Jack Grealish and Arsenal star Bukayo Saka from the XI. Rashford’s upturn in form has coincided with the imminent World Cup and had it taken place in the summer then the Manchester United forward may not have got a look in. Speaking on talkSPORT Breakfast, O’Hara said: “What about Marcus Rashford? He’s probably in anyway, but he’s been really good this season and his form has been great. “I would actually start him for England. I would play Sterling as well. I wouldn’t play Foden or Grealish. “No [I wouldn’t play Saka], I’d play Sterling. “When I’ve watched England in the past, when I’ve really enjoyed watching them, a while ago, was when Rashford, Kane and Sterling played as a front three. Sterling has not scored a goal for Chelsea since September 14Getty Foden has six goals and three assists in the Premier League this seasonGetty Most read in Football PIED Ronaldo blanks Neville to the delight of Carragher after criticism of Man United star clash Man United 1-0 West Ham LIVE REACTION: Rashford's 100th goal seals dramatic victory warn Potter misjudged 'jilted lover' Brighton with 'bad' tactics, says ex-Chelsea star hero Ferdinand stopped Ronaldo's Man City transfer with 3am intervention, says new book poor 'Like his twin brother is playing' - Liverpool star criticised by ex-Chelsea full-back stoic 'I've learnt so much' - Everton star Tarkowski hails Lampard's 'incredible' coaching “Rashford was brilliant and in great form, but then he completely went off the boil and got an injury to his back and he’s not really come back and been the same player again. “He’s a massive problem for us. The issue I have when England play is everything is in front. Kane drops deep, Grealish drops to feet, Foden comes to feet. “People say ‘Oh, Saka is direct and gets the ball and goes past people’. That’s what Rashford was doing. “Pace scares teams, especially in the World Cup. They are too good defensively, too organised, you play in front of teams then you aren’t going to break them down. “If you play Rashford, who can get behind, and Sterling, who can get behind, I think it’s a serious threat. That’s why I would play him.”